10 Minute Review: The Thing About Jellyfish

A few times a year I read a book and I think: if teachers read this book aloud it will change lives. The Thing About Jellyfish begs to be read aloud. It begs to placed in the hands of young readers. I’m begging you to read it when it comes out this fall.

Suzy is dealing with a tragedy. A girl that has been her best friend for a very long time has died in a way that Suzy cannot understand. Suzy feels like their is more to the story.

Since the death of her friend Suzy has decided to stop talking. She doesn’t talk at school, at home, or to her counselor.

One of the things that I love most about this book is how Ali Benjamin plays with time. We learn very early that Suzy and her friend had a bit of a falling out, but we don’t know why. The book moves back and fourth from present time back to the previous year of school. I believe that these flashbacks help young readers see the importance of the choices we make, and how you never know what impact your decisions will have on the world around you.

If you are looking for a great book to hand to a kid, a teacher, or a friend I highly recommend you pre-order The Thing About Jellyfish from your local independent bookseller. This heartprint book is going to change lives. You don’t want to miss it.